Elementary School Counselors Believe .....

* Children have dignity and worth as human beings.

* Children learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others.

* Children who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior.

* Children are capable of making responsible choices.

* Attitudes formed during elementary school shape future attitudes toward learning, self, and society.

Elementary School Counselors Help ....

* Children develop a better understanding of themselves.

* Children develop communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

* Children develop socially and emotionally, in order to learn, work, and live in the 21st century.

* Parents understand their children's emotions, behaviors, and learning styles, and assist them in meeting their children's needs.

* School staff understand and meet the needs of all students in intellectual, personal, social, and emotional areas.

* Parents and staff create a positive learning environment.

The Open Circle program provides all third grade and fourth grade students an opportunity to develop social competency skills during specific activities facilitated by their classroom teachers. The curriculum goals are to create and maintain cooperative classroom environments and to build positive relationships with the ability to solve people problems, thereby encouraging and supporting personal and academic achievement for all.

The Joining Old and Young (JOY) & CARE TO SHARE  are fourth grade intergenerational programs, which provide students & senior citizens an opportunity to get to know, appreciate, and understand each other.   Monthly visits to two local assisted living facilities encourage positive character building qualities in our students, and fosters a sense of emotional well-being for all. Additionally, local community seniors visit monthly with Mrs. Jareck's students to learn about the backyard birds of the Northeast. 

Starting with a newcomers' welcome lunch, the Lunch Bunch program is a  daily grade level lunch time activity for some of our students.  In a small group format, the program's activities provide students varied opportunities to address common social issues, frequently related to peer relationships and communication skills. The main objective for these activities is to promote students’ overall personal growth and development. Often friendships flourish in this relaxed learning environment.

The Guidance Counseling program is an integral part of the total educational curriculum with the focus on understanding self and others while promoting the core character education values. The program includes classroom guidance activities, as well as individual and group counseling. Topics addressed may be for personal adjustment, interpersonal concerns, coping strategies, conflict resolution, effective problem-solving, and decision making considerations.  Individual guidance and counseling services are available to all students, as necessary and appropriate, not just those in a crisis situation.